Giles returns with a tray full of honey wine filled mugs, sets it on the table and takes a seat, picking up one of the mugs and raising it: "Here's to adventure!" he belllows as he takes a big swig and settles down.

"Havard was his name..." he suddenly says after being quiet for a while. "A nice fellow, really. We weren't exactly friends, but you know how it is... In the adventuring business you've got to stick together. You remind me of him, somehow," he says while pointing his mug at Memphisto. "Always playing around with new tricks and trying to turn lead into gold," he chuckles. "What a fool... One day he went down the trap door near the ruins of the old wizard's tower, thinking he would find the secret formula in what was once Kal-Dokk's fully functional laboratory... He came out completely stupid, with a dull look in his eyes, drooling and mumbling something about mosaics... I couldn't make sense of a thing he said."

Giles puts down his mug gravely and sighs. "He jumped off a cliff the next day."

Meanwhile, Miriam has finished cleaning up the place and starts turning down the lights. "That's enough of your tall tales, Giles; Havard always had been an odd one, he was bound to go off his rocker one of those days." She yawns and puts away her apron. "You'd better be off now, boys. There will be a new day tomorrow." and she turns to go upstairs. Giles bids you a good night to join his wife after he finishes his drink.

After an uneventful night dawn breaks, and Holger arrives at the inn with Albin and Finnur in his trail to have breakfast. The young ones seem a bit groggy still, and they greet you with a grumble as they enter. "Good morning, gentlemen," Holger says, "are you ready to head out today?"

Memphisto is ready for the day, sitting at a table reading some parchment or such. He jumps up when Holgar arrives. "Ah, our man-at-arms, Holgar and his two young torch bearers! I'm glad to see you are punctual. You young lads look fresh as daisies," he says wryly.

Dahl stares at the young apprentices for a bit, then looks at Holger. A rather grim “Yes” is all he says before turning back to his mates with a grin only they can see, “So let us make for the ruins in the woods and find that trapdoor.”

And so, the party leaves the village of Jodcar and heads towards the woods in the east.

It is a beautiful day and travel is light, as the path to and through the forest is well trodden, and our heros are gently lead through several windings into the thickets of the woods. The deciduous forest has a friendly and soothing atmosphere: a breeze rustles the leaves and the sunlight playfully flickers through them.

After a walk of about two hours, the ruins can be seen through the treetrunks and foliage, ivy climbing the crumbling remnants of the stone walls. It's located about 30 or 40 yards to the north of the path: an overgrown pathway leads up to it...

Using the butt of his spear as a walking stick to probe in front of him, Dahl leads the way onto the overgrown path. If there is room for two on the path, he will suggest Albin keep ahead with him, while Holger and Finnur march in the rear. As he is focused on the way directly in front of him, Dahl will leave it to the others to watch out for any unusual movements among the scrub and foliage.

There is indeed room to walk two abreast, and Dahl and Albin make their way, side by side, towards the ruins; prodding and probing around to avoid any unpleasant suprises. Even though the path is overgrown, it looks like it is being traveled every now and then, as you see that twigs have snapped and leaves are bruised. Memphisto sharply peers through the bushes, but soon relaxes as there is nothing unusual to be seen: birds are singing, and two squirrels chase eachother through the greenery. Lislgen follows closely behind, while amicably conversing with Holger and Finnur about life and faith. They turn out not to be great philosophers: they mostly shrug and smile sheepishly at any questions, but they seem to be enjoying the conversation and Lislgen's interesting stories nonetheless.

The party safely arrives at the ruins. The clearing amidst the rubble stands out, and from where you stand you can see the heavy wooden trapdoor that supposedly leads into what was once Kal-Dokk's lair.